Malda crib death toll rises to 27

The total number of crib deaths at the Malda College and Hospital since Saturday increased to 27 after the death of four more children.

While three children died on Wednesday morning, another died on Tuesday night, hospital sources said.

The cause of the death was malnourishment, underweight, and premature birth, they said, adding they were admitted to the hospital in very critical condition.

Most of the children who died in the hospital were brought in from others districts like North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur and also from the neighbouring state of Jharkhand in very critical condition, they said.

Another factor that worked against the children was a sudden drop of temperature in this district in north Bengal, the sources said.

The critical patients of the Paediatric department were admitted at the 22 beds of the Sick Neonatal Care Unit. The department also has 46 other beds.